THE BUZZ: Charity effort Child’s Play today officially kicked off its 2011 fundraising campaign, with a goal this year of raising $2 million.

Started in 2003, Child’s Play is an organization that helps to promote the good side of video games (and video game players) by raising funds to donate toys, games, books, and other forms of entertainment to children’s hospitals around the world.

“We are very excited to begin another year of Child’s Play and once again show the world that the video game community is altruistic as well as compassionate,” said Child’s Play Foundation Coordinator Kristin Lindsay. “Since Child’s Play inception we have constantly been surprised by the generosity in both time and money of the community.”

EGM’s TAKE: Being stuck in a hospital with some form of serious health issue is a situation none of us want to find ourselves in—it can be even more difficult, terrifying, or upsetting when you’re a child. While video games and toys can’t make children healthy physically, they can have a massively positive effect on a child mentally and emotionally.

I’ve been a big fan of the organization since its introduction, and am glad to see it not only continue in its effort, but get stronger every year.

Eric L. Patterson got started via self-publishing game-related fanzines in junior high, and now has one goal in life: making sure EGM has as much coverage of niche Japanese games as can realistically be crammed in. Eric’s also active in the gaming community on a personal level, being an outspoken voice on topics such as equality in gaming and consumer rights. Stalk Eric on Twitter: @Eric_EGM. Meet the rest of the crew.